Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that after the Messiah would rise from the dead and would manifest Himself unto the people, to as many as would believe, Jerusalem would be destroyed again and the Jews would be scattered among the nations. They would be scourged for many generations until such a time as they would be persuaded to believe in Christ and His atonement and worship the Father in His name, with pure hearts and clean hands. Then they would cease looking for another Messiah. Then the Lord would restore His people from their lost and fallen state. He would proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men.  2 Nephi 25:14-17 "And behold it shall come to pass that after the Messiah hath risen from the dead, and hath manifested himself unto his people, unto as many as will believe on his name, behold, Jerusalem shall be destroyed again; for wo unto them that fight against God and the people of his church. Wherefore, the Jews shall be scattered among all nations; yea, and also Babylon shall be destroyed; wherefore, the Jews shall be scattered by other nations.  And after they have been scattered, and the Lord God hath scourged them by other nations for the space of many generations, yea, even down from generation to generation until they shall be persuaded to believe in Christ, the Son of God, and the atonement, which is infinite for all mankind—and when that day shall come that they shall believe in Christ, and worship the Father in his name, with pure hearts and clean hands, and look not forward any more for another Messiah, then, at that time, the day will come that it must needs be expedient that they should believe these things. And the Lord will set his hand again the second time to restore his people from their lost and fallen state. Wherefore, he will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men."

In the Old Testament we read that David insisting on counting how many men of war were in Israel and Judah.  He sinned in doing this.  Why?  What's wrong with taking a census of how many people there are?  I think in this case it showed a lack of trust in the Lord to be able to take care of them and deliver them from their enemies.  I think David was trying to gain a feeling of security in knowing he had many men to fight his battles rather than knowing that no matter how many or how few men there were, if the Lord was on their side, it was enough.  2 Samuel 24:2-4, 9-10 "For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.  And Joab said unto the king, Now the Lord thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?  Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel. And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly."

In some verses with a thought booklet we read that sometime we can feel torn between wanting to go to heaven to be with God in a far better world, and knowing that we have a purpose for being on this earth--people we need to help, work we need to do.  When i's our time to go and God calls us home, we can rejoice in being with Him in a better world.  But in the meantime, there is a reason why we're still here and we need to fulfill it.  Philippians 1:19-26 "For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:  Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.  And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;  That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again."